First Tesla, Now Apple? iPad Reportedly Bursts Into Flames

Just a day after another Tesla Model S caught on fire, an iPad explodes in Australia.

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According to a report this morning from News.com.au, a Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) store in Canberra was evacuated due to an exploding Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad (the report did not specify what model of iPad it was).

A spokesperson from Vodafone told the website that without warning, flames shot out of the charging port of the tablet. After the seemingly random explosion, the iPad continued to spark and give off smoke, which prompted the evacuation of the store.

The website also claims that after the fire department dealt with the smoke and the faulty device, a representative from Apple visited the store to obtain the remains of the explosive iPad, so as to determine the cause of the fire. As of now, Apple has not commented on the explosion.

Apple has dealt with hazardous hardware before: In July, one woman was killed and one man was put into a coma after electrocution by iPhone charger. Both cases were in China and involved faulty, third-party devices. (Click here more on those electrocutions.)

However, this latest device malfunction is even more reminiscent of the recent news of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model S electric cars catching on fire.

A Tesla Model S on fire in Seattle. Source: CBS

Yesterday, news broke that Federal investigators were looking into the latest fire involving the electric car, which was the third reported in the past six weeks. According to the Associated Press, the latest fire, reported in Smyrna, Tennessee, on Wednesday afternoon, was the result of an accident in which the car ran over road debris. Ironically, Smyrna is where Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) produces its battery-powered Leaf.

Tesla's stock has a lot of downside lately, with a drop of 13.72% from Tuesday's to Wednesday's close. Of course, this is largely due to a disappointing earnings report released on Tuesday after the close. Still, the three fires in six weeks have not been positive for the company's image.

Apple stock is currently trading at $519.19, up 1.31% from yesterday's close.